Causes of the American Revolution (1)

Britain set up its first American colony in Virginia in 1607. By 1750 there were
13 British colonies along the Atlantic coast of North America. The colonists were
British citizens, they followed British laws and depended on trade with Britain.
However, the colonists were allowed to govern themselves: they had their own
assemblies to which they elected their own representatives.
Initially the colonists were loyal to Britain but this changed in the 1760s.

In the Seven Years’ War (1756-1763) Britain fought with America against the
French who had colonies in America and Canada.

The war worsened the relationship between the colonies and Britain because
afterwards Britain tried to tighten its control over the colonies.

King George III issued the Proclamation of 1763 which stopped colonists from
moving west beyond the Appalachian mountains.

Britain also placed restrictions on trade between the colonies and France and
Spain.

In addition, Britain sent soldiers and officials to the colonies to ensure that
colonists obeyed the new laws.

The biggest cause of ill-feeling was the new taxes imposed on the colonies. The
Sugar Act of 1764 taxed the sugar, wine, molasses and coffee sold in the
colonies.

The Stamp Act of 1765 forced colonists to buy stamps for all paper goods.

Later, the Townshend Act (1767) placed taxes on paint, glass, tea and other
manufactured goods coming from Britain into the colonies.

A further problem was that colonists did not have representatives in the British
parliament, so they had no say in the decisions about new taxes.

Colonists demanded that Britain repeal (remove) the taxes and used the slogan
“No taxation without representation!”